Flat button that may have the number "2" on the front?

[FreeBirdTim]

Found this yesterday about 8 inches down. No shank or any evidence of the shank left on the back. It was really toasted, so I soaked it in warm hydrogen peroxide for a couple of hours. Has some detail now, but still tough to see much of anything.

I'm seeing a dot pattern all the way around the edge of the button and the number "2" in the center. Does anyone else see the same thing or have I been staring at it for WAY too long? Please give me your opinions on this button and whether or not it could be a Revolutionary War button. Thanks!

 

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[charlives]

Tim, I'll give my opinion but I'm certainly no expert. I think it is a button, I dug some with that same rope border. I don't think it's a 2. It looks like newer cuts. Maybe someone else will have better information.

 

[DCMatt]

I would VERY carefully clean it a little more. Given your location, you may have a British Infantry (Regiment of Foot) button.


DCMatt

 

[Iron Patch]

It appears to be brass or copper. If you want to clean it a bit further, soak it in lemon juice for a couple minutes and brush it a little. It should slowly start to reveal more of the face and you can stop at any point. Even just a minute with a little brushing might clear enough corrosion to see enough to know what it is. But you don't have to rush into doing that, just the lost shot if you can't find an answer.

 

[FreeBirdTim]

Wow! You guys are the best for identifying items. If it is a British Infantry Regiment of Foot button, would that make it Revolutionary War era or before that time period? Does it have any value in it's present condition? Do I have anything to lose by attempting to clean it more? I don't want to ruin it, but I would like to get more detail on the button. Decisions, decisions!

 

[FreeBirdTim]

It appears to be brass or copper.

Yes, it's VERY thin brass or copper. Seem pretty tough, though. Doesn't feel like it's going to crumble in my hands.

 

[Dug]

The back side displays a mark where the loop would have been attached, so it is very likely a button.

Crust can play optical illusions. That being said, not only do I see the 2 in the center, but what looks like smaller lettering arcing over the 2 from left to right.

Certainly an intriguing find. Agree with Iron Patch, take your time and clean slowly.

 

[FreeBirdTim]

It appears to be brass or copper. If you want to clean it a bit further, soak it in lemon juice for a couple minutes and brush it a little.

I may have to give this method a shot. I did another hydrogen peroxide bath for an hour today, but it looks about the same. I'll try the lemon juice method on another toasted flat button I have and see if I can improve that one first. If all goes well, I'll then attempt to clean this mystery button.

 

[FreeBirdTim]

This is a long shot , but could it be a button from the 2nd Rhode Island Regiment? I was doing a little research on Rhode Island's involvement in the Revolutionary War and that unit was mentioned. Has anyone ever seen a button for for ANY Rhode Island regiment that was active during the Revolutionary War?

 

[FreeBirdTim]

That being said, not only do I see the 2 in the center, but what looks like smaller lettering arcing over the 2 from left to right.

Yes, I see letters ( or maybe even numbers) in that spot as well. I also see stars (or something similar in design) going up the left side of the number 2 in an arch (arc?). Maybe it's the hydrogen peroxide fumes getting to me, but that's what I see right now.